To: New Jersey Transit, the NJ Department of Transportation, and local elected officials

The Jersey Shore has more commuters now than ever before and for too long, commuters on the North Jersey Coast Line have faced one of the longest — and most inconsistent — commutes in the state. Despite living just 45 miles from Manhattan, a trip from Long Branch to New York Penn takes more than 90 minutes or more each way, with countless intermediate stops and frequent delays.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

We’re calling on NJ Transit to introduce a true express train — the “Coast Line Business Express” — that connects the Shore to New York City in under 60 minutes, mirroring the speed and efficiency of the Northeast Corridor express service from Trenton/Princeton area.

  Proposed Stops:

Long Branch → Middletown → Woodbridge → Newark Penn → Secaucus Junction → New York Penn

  Estimated Run Time:

≈ 56–58 minutes total, saving riders 45 minutes per trip — or more than 7 hours a week in round-trip commute time.

  Why This Express Train Matters:
 • Economic Growth: Makes Shore towns more accessible for professionals who work in New York.
 • Equity & Fairness: The Coast Line deserves the same express service already available on the Northeast Corridor.
 • Environmental Benefits: Faster, more reliable rail service reduces highway congestion and emissions from car commutes.

  We’re Asking NJ Transit to: Pilot a weekday AM & PM “Coast Line Business Express” between Long Branch and NY Penn using existing infrastructure north of Rahway to minimize costs and maximize efficiency.

 Support this petition if you believe it’s time for a faster, smarter, and fairer commute for New Jersey’s Shore residents.

Together, we can make the Coast Line Business Express a reality — and finally bring true express service to the Jersey Shore.